U.S. and Canadian Gold Medal Hopefuls Grace the Cover of Official Olympic Videogame

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SEGA heats up the slopes and announces cover athletes for Vancouver 2010 - The Official Videogame of The Olympic Winter Games.

By IGN Staff

SAN FRANCISCO - SEGA of America, Inc. today announced it is partnering with top American and Canadian gold medal contenders Lindsey Vonn (USA; alpine skiing), Seth Wescott (USA; snowboard cross), Kristina Groves (Canada; speed skating) and Matthew Morison (Canada; snowboard) to appear on the cover of the upcoming video game Vancouver 2010 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Winter Games that will be available for purchase at North American retailers on January 12th, 2010 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and the PC via digital download. These outstanding athletes represent the elite in each of their respective sports and are among the favorites to hoist their country's flag and hopefully bring home gold this winter at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

"These athletes have reached the pinnacle of performance in each of their respective sports and we are proud to have them representing our video game," said Sean Ratcliffe, VP of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "With Vancouver 2010™, SEGA is striving to develop the very best Olympic video game ever in our arena of competition."

Lindsey Vonn, the world's #1 ranked female skier, debuted on the U.S. Olympic team at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The 2008-09 season officially crowned Lindsey as the most successful female skier in American history. At the February 2009 FIS Alpine World Championships, Lindsey swept the speed events, winning gold medals in both downhill and super G. Then despite having surgery for a severed tendon on her right thumb two days after winning the downhill title, Lindsey moved back into the World Cup starting gate for three consecutive top three finishes. The last of which, a super G win, placed Lindsey in the record books as she surpassed U.S. great Tamara McKinney for the most World Cup victories for an American woman with 19. Lindsey would win three more races before the season ended, finishing the year with a U.S. record (male or female) nine World Cup wins in a single season, including five consecutive super G wins an international record for women. She closed the season with downhill and super G wins at the World Cup Finals to secure her second World Cup overall crown by more than 350 points over her nearest competitor to become the only U.S. woman to win two overall titles, let alone back-to-back. Lindsey looks forward to bringing home a medal of any color from Vancouver.

Seth Wescott was the first, and reigning, Olympic gold medalist in snowboard cross (SBX), the newest event to be added to the Olympic competition schedule at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. He kicked off the 2008-09 season by winning the first World Cup race and is currently placed second in overall World Cup points. His other career accolades include the 2007 World Championships Silver Medalist, 2006 and 2007 Jeep King of the Mountain Champion, 2005 World Championships Gold Medalist, and 2004 World Cup – second place. Seth is also a proud 11-time U.S. National Team member, currently the top U.S. rider in SBX and is ranked second in the world. A seasoned veteran in the sport that he's helped bring to the mainstream; he currently sits in the #1 U.S. spot heading into the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

Canadian speed skater Kristina Grove began skating at the age of 11 and hasn't looked back since. In 2006, she won the silver medal for both the 1,500 meter and team pursuit events at the Torino Olympic Winter Games. 2007-08 were banner years for Kristina as she won an unprecedented five medals at the 2008 World Single Distance Championships including gold in the 3,000 meter; eight World Cup medals; the 1,500 meter overall World Cup title; and bronze at the World All-round Championships. She continued her winning ways during the 2008-09 World Cup season and added three more medals at the 2009 World Single Distance Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval – the official speed skating venue of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Now, Kristina has her sights set on skating for Olympic gold on her home ice in 2010.

Matt Morison will represent Canada in snowboard, a sport where he's achieved numerous accolades. In the 2006-07 season, Matt competed in the World Cup Finals and brought home first, second and third place finishes in parallel giant slalom and parallel slalom. In the 2007-08 season, he brought home four World Cup medals with one first place and three third place finishes in the parallel giant slalom. Matt, who was the bronze medalist at 2009 FIS World Snowboard Championships, is ranked fourth in the parallel giant slalom World Cup Standings and sixth in the Overall World Cup rankings this past season. Vancouver 2010 will be Matt's Olympic Winter Games debut and he looks forward to winning gold on his home turf.

Vancouver 2010 features realistic next-gen visuals and will provide players with an authentic simulation of 14 events from the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games giving gamers the opportunity to compete in, and get an early look at, many of the official venues. The online functionality of all three platforms will ensure that fans of the Olympic Winter Games will be able to experience the thrill of competing against other gamers across the globe for national pride. The game will also incorporate innovative control schemes that allow novice gamers to learn how to play the game, while providing experienced gamers the chance to set new records.

Developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software, Vancouver 2010 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and the PC is set for release on January 12th, 2010. For further information, please go to www.olympicvideogames.com. For athlete photos and all press assets, visit http://segapr.segaamerica.com.

About SEGA of America, Inc.: SEGA of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America's Web site is located at www.sega.com.

About ISM: ISM is active in managing and developing entertainment software applications. In addition to the exclusive interactive entertainment software rights ownership of the Olympic Games, ISM is one of the world's leading providers of sports fantasy games, particularly specializing in the football/soccer sector. Visit the company's website at www.ismltd.com

About Eurocom Entertainment Software: Beijing 2008 is being developed by Eurocom, known for their previous work on the official video games of Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman Begins and Athens 2004. Eurocom was founded in 1988 and has evolved into a world leading developer of cutting-edge console games based on high profile franchises and movies. Eurocom's development team comprises of 280 highly experienced and talented staff, based in Derby in the UK. Further information on Eurocom can be found at http://www.eurocom.co.uk.